The United States State Department has launched a new initiative using artificial intelligence to identify and revoke visas of foreign students suspected of supporting Hamas. According to reports from Axios and Fox News, the program has already resulted in its first visa revocation.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on social media, stating that the United States “has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists.” He added that “violators of U.S. law – including international students – face visa denial or revocation, and deportation.”
The initiative, reportedly dubbed “Catch and Revoke,” will employ AI technology to screen social media accounts of tens of thousands of student visa holders. Officials are also reviewing news reports of demonstrations against Israeli policies and examining lawsuits filed by Jewish students that highlight foreign nationals allegedly engaging in antisemitism.
Fox News reported that the first visa revocation under this program occurred on Wednesday when a university student’s visa was canceled for participating in what the State Department termed “Hamas-supporting disruptions.” Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reportedly proceeding with the student’s removal from the country.
This action aligns with President Donald Trump’s January executive order to combat antisemitism and his pledge to deport non-citizen college students who participate in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump recently stated he would stop federal funding for educational institutions allowing what he called “illegal protests,” adding that “agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came.”
The policy comes amid ongoing tensions on college campuses. On Wednesday, several people were arrested during a pro-Palestinian sit-in at Barnard College in New York, where protesters reportedly distributed pamphlets from Hamas’ Media Office and displayed images of Hamas leaders.
Critics note that many pro-Palestinian protesters, including some Jewish groups, have denounced both antisemitism and Hamas, raising concerns about potential overreach in the application of this technology.
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